Dundee United manager McNamara bailed out on the Jags in January and a bitter compensation dispute was resolved only last week.

O'Donnell knows McNamara's return along with former Jags Paul Paton and Chris Erskine has added spice to Partick's first top flight game in nine years.

But while the Partick fans may still be unhappy at McNamara over his exit, O'Donnell will shake his hand and thank him for turning around his career.

O'Donnell said: "It's a great first game. We will be up against a lot of familiar faces and it will be good to test ourselves.

“I will shake his hand. I hope some fans will clap him.”

Stephen O'Donnell

"Chris and Paul were two of our better players, so if we can beat United it will be a good feat.

"Jackie did a great job for us and is doing a great job at United. It will be tough and the game will be built up, but it's three points at the end of the day.

"If the fans want to hold a grudge? Fine. That's their prerogative. I will shake his hand. I hope some fans will clap him. If others boo him, that's up to them. I'm not getting involved in that. It's about getting three points.

"It doesn't matter if it's my dad in the dug-out or Jackie McNamara - I'm just looking for three points.

"Is it fitting Jackie being there to see the league flag being unfurled? If he doesn't get too much stick off the fans, I think it would be good.

"He played a big part in our promotion. Him and the gaffer basically split the season down the middle.

"Jackie has been a huge influence on my own career. When he signed me, Ayr United had just knocked me back and that was part-time football.

"He's been great for me and it's the same for a number of boys. The form they hit under him was exceptional." Partick will start the season with a 15-point advantage over Hearts after the Jambos were placed in administration and O'Donnell said: "There's no getting away from the fact it's a bonus for us. You would rather have 15 points than not have them."